Senegal - Judicial system

The High Council of the Magistrature, founded in 1960 and headed by the
president, determines the constitutionality of laws and international
commitments and decides when members of the legislature and the
executive have exceeded their authority. A 16-member High Court of
Justice, founded in 1962 and elected by the National Assembly from among
its own members, presides over impeachment proceedings. The Supreme
Court, founded in 1960, is made up of members appointed by the president
of the republic on the advice of the High Council of the Magistrature.
In June 1973, a Court of State Security was set up to deal with
political offenses. Criminal cases are essentially subject to French
criminal law. Petty offenses are dealt with by justices of the peace in
each department; ranked next in the judicial system are courts of first
instance in each region. There are assize courts in Dakar, Kaolack,
Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor and a Court of Appeal in Dakar. There is
also a military court system and a special court for the repression of
the unlawful accumulation of wealth.

The constitution declares the independence of the judiciary, from the
executive, the legislature and the armed forces. Judges are appointed by
the president after nomination by the minister of justice. In practice,
low pay and political ties make magistrates vulnerable to outside
pressures.

Criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are
afforded public trials, and the right to legal counsel, among other
procedural rights. Muslims have the right to choose customary law or
civil law for cases involving family inheritance.

The legal system is based on French civil law. In 1992 the Supreme Court
was replaced by the Council of State for Administrative Questions, the
Constitutional Council, and a Court of Appeals.

It enabled me to know lot of things about the Judicial System of Senegal. I thank to the writer and publisher for this attempt. I'm Buddhika From Sri Lanka as an under graduate in University of Kelaniya.

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